"Confusion but relief"

I have severe diabetic retinopathy and have had issues with my eyes for 5 years, I am blind in one eye and have limited vision in the other - leading me to have a guide dog.

I am thankful for the NHS, but this experience was an anxiety led event leaving me a bit shocked.

Last Thursday, I called about when my next appointment was due to some issues with my good eye so I was booked into eye casualty the next day - after a long trip I was told I needed surgery on the Monday. I was shocked as generally been stable for three years.

After an anxiety led weekend, booking a boarder, sorting care and support, worrying about a local anaesthetic. Monday came, I sorted everything out and despite high anxiety turned up to the Nelson Day Unit in which I went through pre-op and medication to keep me calm.

After a whilst I was seen my the surgeon who looked at my eye, referred to the consultant before telling me I did not need the procedure after all.

I felt frustrated as had sorted everything out for a long recovery and all the stress for my family over the weekend. In time I felt relief and a sense of calm but if it weren't for their double checking I may have not had a good outcome of the surgery.

Here's to another 3 years of some limited vision.